Health care professions with some of the highest salaries also often come with stringent educational requirements, such as Family Physician or Orthopaedic Surgeon, require at least eight years of college followed by medical residency training – earning six-figure salaries but often incurring student loan debt loads of over $300,000. Luckily, there are also plenty of rewarding entry-level roles which offer rewarding experience without incurring exorbitant tuition costs and expenses.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, healthcare practitioners and technical occupations such as dentists and hygienists earned an average annual salary of $77,760 as of May 2022, while healthcare support occupations earned only an average annual salary of $33,600 – both salaries still trail far behind pre-pandemic trends – especially as healthcare support, service and direct care workers already make wages well below what most families could rely on living wage pay; moreover these jobs tend to employ women and people of color making them especially susceptible to pandemic impact.
Even with such alarming statistics, there are various strategies health care workers can employ to increase their earning potential, including enrolling in postsecondary programs in specialized areas or working with mentors in certain fields. Gaining relevant experience through internships or unpaid volunteer opportunities may also boost earnings potential and help secure entry-level jobs.
Health care has historically been an enormous industry and remains so even following the coronavirus pandemic. Hospitals continue to play an integral part in providing Americans with basic healthcare ranging from tests and procedures to surgeries or other intensive treatments; but for proper functioning they require dedicated employees with specific skill sets to work at these facilities.
Health care depends on a large team of workers from diverse backgrounds and training, from doctors and nurses to other professionals who often operate under challenging circumstances. While physicians and nurses may command higher salaries than other workers in this sector, their success owes much to all these others who work so tirelessly for us all.
As the pandemic progresses, Congress should pass legislation providing for hazard pay for healthcare workers at risk in order to ensure no one must choose between providing vital services and supporting their family. While some lawmakers are suggesting temporary wage increases, Congress must pass legislation guaranteeing health care workers can always afford a decent living. You can take steps toward secure your position within this field by enrolling in Southern New Hampshire University’s online Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration program.